Dear Demora (Make It up As I Go)

by MissCar

Sequel to Dear James and Dear Spock. The 5 year mission is a go. Everybody's trying to balance their work and family responsibilities. No one knows quite what they're doing. But they are the best crew in Starfleet, which essentially means they'll just make it up as they go. A collection of emails & other written correspondence from the first year of Enterprise's 5-year mission.

166. Day 360: New Vulcan mail call

Thank you to everybody who read or reviewed the last set of letters. I really appreciate it.

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Day 360: New Vulcan mail call

From: Saavik of New Vulcan

To: Jim's_cuddlebear

Time arrived: 02/12/2261 00:00:01

Subject: Thank You for Your Assistance on My School Project

Thank you for your assistance regarding my school project. I have gone through the list of prospective flowers and chosen five for the new garden. This was primarily based on the availability of the flowers. I have attached pictures in addition to a computer-generated rendering of my plan for the garden. Feel free to make comments or suggestions.

The Ambassador told me that Enterprise would be bringing the Vulcan scientists back. Does this mean I will see you, Peter, and Josephine again? The Ambassador mentioned a surprise. Does that mean they're coming to visit? I would appreciate seeing my cousins.

Xxx

From: mental_health_help_desk_Suarez

To: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

Time arrived: 2/12/2261 00:00:01

Subject: Are you really coming back to New Vulcan so soon?

Hi.

Sorry I haven't written for a while. At least it feels that way since you're close by. I haven't been replying right away, anyway. I've been super busy with work and other commitments. I'll explain why in a minute.

The good news is that the elder agreed for me to go with him to appointments. I accompanied him to his follow-up visit yesterday. It was good that I was there because I could ask questions from a doctor's perspective, which is always helpful. We have another appointment in about a month, and I will also be there for that. I feel like this is progress for the old guy. He isn't pushing me away, so that's all I can ask for.

How did the mission with the Vulcan Science Academy go? Did you discover any more Fraggles? I heard from the Ambassador that it's wrapping up in the next few days. I want to hear more.

I also heard you will be in the colony for two days of meetings. Is that a good or bad thing? Are you going to have time for a quick tea to catch up? I understand if that isn't possible. I figure your visit is going to be very programmed.

I'm well aware I need a break. Unfortunately, for now, it's going to be weekend trips to the Cliffs with brunch afterward. I would love to spend the summer on the Yorktown Starbase, visiting family and spending quality time with the Sulu girls. Unfortunately, I can't take an extended vacation until I have a backup.

The good news is that the VSA has made a deal with Starfleet and the Federation education system to bring in more psychologists to train in the new field of Vulcan psychology. I am going to be doing many seminars. So maybe I'll have adequate coverage by next Christmas. I could come to you for a few days. It's an option, since I'm Starfleet. That would be nice.

I miss Enterprise. It was a lovely assignment, but I understand why I had to move on. It was a conflict of interest. I've heard only good things about the new team, so I feel better.

I got a copy of the kids' report on the battle of Vulcan. It helps that I am still in Starfleet. I could understand everyone's reaction to the school project. Also, I am not surprised at the way things were framed. It's common to want to blame somebody when bad things happen, and blaming the Romulans is likely the easiest thing to do, mainly because people don't know about the time travel element. I am working on combating that as much as I can.

Thank you so much for the new pictures. You and Peter are adorable together. You're doing well. Remember that on the tough days.

Xx

From: Vulcan_Embassy_Ambassador_Selek

To: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

Time arrived: 02/12/2261 00:00:01

Subject: I was wrong not to tell friends about my illness.

Thank you for your continued correspondence. In hindsight, I realized my initial desire to keep my illness to myself was erroneous. I am grateful that I now have the support of my friends and family. Also, that I am no longer dealing with this alone.

Were you responsible for Dr. Suarez's offer to accompany me to all appointments? I initially declined her offer, but she is quite persuasive. After the first appointment, I am grateful she does not take no for an answer. I was more relaxed with her present. She also asked questions I should have considered but did not. I also agreed to meet with her colleague, who specializes in counseling those with long-term illnesses. I will keep you posted on how those visits go.

I might even be able to do that in person. During my weekly tea with the ambassador, he informed me that our weekly family dinner would be on the 14th of this week so that I could spend time with the grandchildren. They will be there for the night due to Enterprise personally dropping off the VSA science team. Will I also see you at this dinner? I would like that very much.

xxxx

"I feel like last night was New Vulcan night for email. The only one we didn't hear from was your father, probably because we received messages from him earlier this week." Jim placed his PADD on the table as he reached for the cranberry and apple oatmeal Spock had prepared for him.

"I have an email from him in my work account." Jim sighed at his husband's words.

"Of course you do. Was it longer than the one from your sister?" Jim asked.

"Marginally. He informed me that he also invited Zoe to participate in the call with her niece."

"That's nice of him."

"I am concerned with the abrupt nature of her letter but grateful that she wrote it. I'm also glad that she responded to my personal account."

"I feel like she did that because it would take you longer to respond."

"I am not arguing that point," Spock stated as he placed another bowl of oatmeal on the table.

"Because there's very little actually to argue." Jim smiled at him. "At least she is writing. She needs more time to get used to you."

"I feel like I am the last one she has written to. Even Nyota received an email before I did."

"It's not a competition. I haven't got a letter yet." Jim mentioned.

"This is true."

"Would you be mad at me if our Valentine's Day dinner turns into dinner with the family? I don't know when we'll see them again since you and I are being forced to go to Babel on the original wedding date. Besides, maybe your little sister would feel better if you were there in person."

"I have to speak at Babel, but maybe you do not and could still attend the wedding." Spock suggested.

"I don't think our immediate boss will agree to that, and you know my brother's future mother-in-law can't intervene right now. Even if she did, that would leave Scotty as your first officer for a week." Spock raised an eyebrow at him.

"No, it can't be Nyota. First, you two are kind of legally related now and it's a small miracle that the bosses haven't moved her to another ship. Second, Scotty has seniority over Nyota after being the acting captain of the Hamilton for a few months. Could you deal with Scotty as your first officer for a week?"

"I can suffer through much to guarantee your happiness." Spock responds, begrudgingly after thinking about it for a moment.

"That's not the yes I was looking for." Jim sighed.

"This is not something we need to discuss now. We don't know if the wedding date will stay since Sulu would like to move it if possible so that more friends can attend."

"I know, but even if they move the wedding to before, we're only going to have time for the ceremony. We probably will not get to stay for the reception and mingle with our family. Therefore, I still think we should take this opportunity. We can have a fancy dinner at the star base after Valentine's Day. We could celebrate your one year as a captain."

"I believe we still will be in transport on February 17."

"We don't have to celebrate on the day. I'll work something out with our assistant. It's not going to be all meetings that entire two weeks."

"But the majority will be with Starfleet inspecting the minors on Enterprise program."

"I know." They were both worried about the upcoming inspection, even though Spock would not acknowledge it. It's why they had a contingency plan in case the program is eliminated. He might be able to talk Bones and Nyota into letting him have custody of Josephine on New Vulcan, so they don't have to leave as well. But Nyota might turn her new citizenship into a job at the VSA language department.

"I believe I can make time to have a fancy dinner with you. I will also ask Nyota if she will host a sleepover during our time on base."

"Music to my ears. Will your dad get upset if I invite Suarez to the family dinner?"

"No. He had already invited her. He also wants us to stay for dinner."

"OK, it looks like we're doing family Valentine's Day. I was looking forward to getting you chocolate drunk on chocolate hearts."

"Maybe next year," Spock suggested.

"I'm holding you to that." Jim leaned over and kissed Spock. Unfortunately, that's when Peter finally came in for breakfast.

"Why are you guys always kissing?" Peter commented as he sat at the table.

"Because we love one another." Jim leaned over to kiss Spock again. "Eat your breakfast. You're going to be late for class otherwise."

Xxx

From: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

To: mental_health_help_desk_Suarez

Time arrived: 2/12/2261 19:19:19

Subject: Re: Are you really coming back to New Vulcan so soon?

It's OK. I get that things are super busy, mainly because you are spending time with the elder and training the new generation of Vulcan therapists. I look forward to the moment when you can take a day off. You need it.

Yes, we will be on the planet for two days, which is just long enough for us to report on our findings. That means Spock and I will be spending lots of time with people we rather not. Unfortunately, that leaves me no time for tea with you. Trust me; I would rather spend time with you. However, we have decided to postpone our Valentine's Day dinner alone and will spend time with the family instead.

You're part of that. So please join us. I'm sure you received an invite from the Ambassador at this point. I hope so because you may or may not get this email by Valentine's Day. I really would like to see you there. The elder will be there as well.

I don't mind postponing. We will be going to one of the nicer non-Yorktown star bases for repairs. I've already made reservations for one of the better restaurants on campus, and Spock has arranged for Peter to have a sleepover. Peter is still at the age where he finds all the making out weird, so he should have a sleepover. We will celebrate Spock's one year as a captain, so obviously, it will be a fun night.

It's been an interesting year on this ship, and this mission was exciting. So, no more Fraggles on the other planet, but we ran into ensign-eating plants. Thankfully they are getting used to their prosthesis. Since you're still Starfleet, I can send you the official report. This one isn't classified, it is just weird.

Also, I tripped and broke my leg on invisible rocks. Yes, that happened. No, I will not be giving more details. Nor am I sending you the report because that one is classified.

You may have already heard about this from my father-in-law. He knows because he has received many messages from Spock. He was a little freaked out and needed his dad. I'm just happy they are at a place in their relationship where they can talk to one another when they're upset. Okay, I'm just happy that Spock is willing to acknowledge when he's upset. That's progress.

Peter is also progressing. Peter is no longer in koala bear mode, which makes me very pleased. He is hanging out with his friends and hasn't tried to crawl into our bed. That's always good.

Peter is currently doing a group project on the history of propaganda in Starfleet. I am a little concerned that group project presentations will happen when the inspection occurs. I hope I don't have to classify another school report.

Although if this goes badly, you can provide us with a list of all your favorite restaurants in the colony. We will need it when we move there after Spock accepts a teaching position at the VSA. We have decided that if the program isn't renewed, we will leave for New Vulcan. Maybe we can do a sabbatical or something else that won't require us to leave Starfleet. However, we are not sending Peter to boarding school so that we can stay on Enterprise. That is not an option at all. Our time on New Vulcan has shown us that I can deal with the heat in New Vulcan summer. Also, my allergies are nowhere near as bad as we thought they would be on the planet. We're open to moving there for a while.

Anyway, more pictures of the kids being crazy. They miss you and can't wait to see you in a couple of days. I haven't told them that you'll be there yet. I want it to be a surprise if you can't join the family dinner. That way, they won't be disappointed. Anyway, I hope to see you in a couple of days.

X

From: Spock' s_cuddlebunny

To: Vulcan_Embassy_Ambassador_Selek

Time arrived: 02/12/2261 19:31:06

Subject: Re: I'm glad you realize you're not in this alone.

I'm glad you told us. You shouldn't be dealing with this by yourself. I did not have to nudge my old doctor to help. That's just who she is. However, I appreciate her reaching out. You shouldn't go to those appointments by yourself. I'm glad she can be there for you.

We can have dinner with you and the family on the 14th. Our temporary assistant is brilliant, and they are really good at scheduling personal time and ensuring we have a life outside of work. I think we're going to keep them.

We just finished surveying the final moon this afternoon. Thankfully nothing weird happened. That was a first for this mission. I have to ask, did you ever run into Fraggle's? What about large carnivorous plants? Did you ever find invisible rocks anywhere? Snuggle Vulcan says I cannot send you the unclassified reports, but I wish I could.

I've had a theory that you discovered the planet that became New Vulcan during the original five-year mission. You knew it would be the perfect place for a settlement. That's why it's smack dab in the middle of the space we're supposed to explore as part of this five-year mission.

Incidentally, the location of the New Vulcan colony means that we can get here more often. It's really in the middle of what we're supposed to be exploring. After repairs and getting Scotty back, we will explore the system next door. No spoilers. I want to discover the chaos on my own.

Anyway, I look forward to dinner in a couple of days. I'm sure the kids would be excited if they knew. We want it to be a surprise just in case plans change and we have to beam the science team over tomorrow. Fingers crossed we'll get to see each other.

Xxxx

From: Jim's_cuddlebear

To: Saavik of New Vulcan

Time arrived: 02/12/2261 21:27:05

Subject: Re: Thank You for Your Assistance on My School Project

Thank you for writing. I appreciate hearing from my little sister. I hope all is still well for you at the international school. Your projects there seem fascinating. More so than anything I did at a traditional Vulcan school. Although because our father was a working ambassador during my childhood, I also spent many years at various international schools throughout the Federation. I always preferred them to traditional Vulcan schools. I'm glad you can attend the international school at the colony.

I was able to look over your notes this afternoon. You chose well for your project. The artistic rendering was very well done. The spot you have selected will work well. You can show this to me when I arrive on the 14th.

We have rearranged our schedule, and we will attend a family dinner hosted by our father. Peter and Josephine are looking forward to seeing you. I am also looking forward to spending time with you that day.

To be continued…